This study contributes to the literature by describing how crowdfunding platforms that host social entrepreneurship projects build and preserve legitimacy. We study three intermediaries, analyzing the actions they take to ensure that creators and funders perceive crowdfunding as a trustworthy form of alternative finance. This study shows that the legitimacy that funders ascribe to a project’s social and/or environmental aims is also a source of legitimacy for the intermediaries that promote social entrepreneurship projects. These intermediaries act as agents of social change, using a range of mechanisms to promote projects that seek to create social and/or environmental value in addition to economic value. Our study also has practical implications. We highlight the mechanisms used to reduce potential risks for intermediaries, creators, and funders and ensure their trust in crowdfunding.

Work integration social enterprises (WISEs) exist to fight poverty and social exclusion. They offer support and guidance to those at risk of exclusion to help these individuals join the labour market. This study examines the relationship between social enterprises (specifically, work integration social enterprises) and their social impact, considered here in the form of social sustainability. This article presents the results of empirical analysis of 62 Spanish work integration social enterprises using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. The article focuses on the entrepreneurial characteristics of the companies’ founders and managers as drivers of social value creation. Specifically, the study examines their entrepreneurial traits, capabilities, orientation, and behaviour. The results show the importance of the training that social entrepreneurs receive, as well as the structure and planning of social enterprises.

Objective: This study provides detailed analyses of the theory of female entrepreneurship and the theory of sustainable entrepreneurship. These analyses focus on the concepts both separately and in conjunction. The study aims to uncover the linkages and the principal factors between the two terms such as innovation and education. Methodology: First, a literature review is provided. Then, we conduct a descriptive and co-occurrence analysis of the intersection between female and sustainable entrepreneurship concepts. Results: Our research sheds light on the link between women entrepreneurship and sustainable entrepreneurship and identifies the key constructs that influence this correlation. Innovation and education are outlined as crucial terms. Finally, the study confirms the relationship between female entrepreneurship and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Limitations: While our study highlights crucial elements, it does not provide visibility to all possible relevant factors affecting female and sustainable entrepreneurship.Practical implications: Implications for fostering development for female and sustainable entrepreneurship are presented. The study also shows the importance of measuring the impact of women entrepreneurs’ sustainable spirit on SDGs 4, 5 and 8.